Numbers 35 23

Numbers 35:23 kjv

Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:

Numbers 35:23 nkjv

or uses a stone, by which a man could die, throwing it at him without seeing him, so that he dies, while he was not his enemy or seeking his harm,

Numbers 35:23 niv

or, without seeing them, drops on them a stone heavy enough to kill them, and they die, then since that other person was not an enemy and no harm was intended,

Numbers 35:23 esv

or used a stone that could cause death, and without seeing him dropped it on him, so that he died, though he was not his enemy and did not seek his harm,

Numbers 35:23 nlt

or accidentally drops a huge stone on someone, though they were not enemies, and the person dies.

Numbers 35 verses

Numbers 35 23 Meaning

Numbers 35:23 describes a specific scenario of unintentional homicide within the context of the Cities of Refuge. It pertains to a situation where a person accidentally causes another's death, such as by dropping a stone without seeing the individual. Crucially, the verse stipulates two conditions: the killer was not an enemy of the deceased, and they harbored no malicious intent or desire to inflict harm upon the victim. This distinguishes unintentional manslaughter from premeditated murder, ensuring that an accidental death would lead to a fair legal process rather than immediate retaliatory vengeance.

Numbers 35 23 Context

Numbers chapter 35 details the specific regulations concerning the Levitical cities, which included six designated as Cities of Refuge. This legislation followed the instructions for dividing the land among the tribes of Israel, ensuring that even in their land allocation, provision was made for divine justice. Verses 9-34 specifically outline the laws regarding manslaughter and murder. The chapter meticulously distinguishes between an intentional killer, who must face capital punishment, and an unintentional killer (manslayer), for whom a unique system of protection was instituted. The verse in question (Nu 35:23) defines one such scenario of accidental death, emphasizing the absence of malice and pre-existing animosity as key criteria for a case of manslaughter, ensuring that individuals could flee to these cities to avoid immediate, unregulated blood vengeance by the "avenger of blood" until a proper trial determined their intent. Historically, this law refined and regulated the ancient Near Eastern practice of blood vengeance, providing a just and merciful framework unique to God's covenant with Israel.

Numbers 35 23 Word Analysis

• or if: This phrase continues the conditional clauses set out from verse 22, outlining different specific scenarios that constitute unintentional homicide. It indicates that the previous conditions are not exhaustive, and this is another defined case.
• he dropped: The Hebrew verb is הִפִּיל (hippil), the Hiphil stem of נָפַל (naphal), meaning "to fall." The Hiphil form makes it causative, thus "to cause to fall" or "to drop." It signifies a deliberate action in causing the object to move, but not necessarily a deliberate aiming or malicious intent at the victim.
• a stone: Hebrew אֶבֶן ('eben). A common and readily available object that, especially if large, could be lethal if dropped. This specific detail provides a concrete example of an implement of accidental death, often a tool or a building material in an agrarian society.
• on him: Refers to the victim, indicating that the stone struck and ultimately led to their death.
• without seeing him: Hebrew וְלֹא רֹאֶה (v'lo ro'eh), meaning "and not seeing." This is the crucial element that defines the unintentionality of the act. The person did not see the victim in a way that would allow them to aim or be aware of their presence. It implies a lack of foresight or direct visual awareness of the victim, perhaps working from a height or around a corner, where the fall was not directed at a known target. This negates deliberate targeting.
• so that he died: Hebrew וּמֵת (u-met), meaning "and he died." This confirms the fatal outcome, making it a case of homicide requiring legal action. The death is a direct consequence of the action.
• and he was not his enemy: Hebrew וְלֹא־אוֹיֵב הוּא (v'lo-oyev hu), literally "and not enemy he." This is a critical legal qualification, immediately ruling out any pre-existing personal vendetta, malice, or hostile relationship that could provide a motive for murder. This absence of prior animosity is key to proving manslaughter over murder.
• and did not seek his harm: Hebrew וְלֹא מְבַקֵּשׁ רָעָתוֹ (v'lo mevakesh ra'ato), meaning "and not seeking his evil/harm." This further reinforces the lack of malicious intent. "Seeking harm" implies an active desire or design to injure the person. This phrase confirms that the act was not motivated by a wish to bring about the victim's misfortune or injury.

Words-group analysis:

• "he dropped a stone... without seeing him": This phrase succinctly describes the mechanism and primary characteristic of the accident. The action is done (dropping), the object is common (stone), and the vital aspect is the lack of visual awareness of the victim's presence, establishing the accidental nature of the deed.
• "and he was not his enemy and did not seek his harm": This bipartite phrase establishes the complete absence of mens rea or malicious intent. It acts as a comprehensive legal test to exclude any form of premeditation, hatred, or active desire for injury, solidifying the claim of unintentionality from the perpetrator's heart and mind.

Numbers 35 23 Bonus Section

This verse, as part of the Cities of Refuge legislation, reflects a profound theological and judicial sophistication in Israelite law that often surpassed contemporary ancient Near Eastern legal codes. While other cultures might have imposed severe penalties for accidental deaths regardless of intent, God's law provided a unique sanctuary and a structured judicial process (involving the congregation's judgment at the city gate, as seen in Jos 20:4) to ascertain true guilt. The law’s specificity in listing scenarios (e.g., this verse vs. Nu 35:22) highlights the precision required for legal determination. Ultimately, the entire system of the Cities of Refuge and the temporary safety they offered to the manslayer, who was confined until the death of the High Priest (Nu 35:25, 28), serves as a prophetic shadow. It points to Christ as our ultimate "Refuge," whose death provides true and eternal release from the spiritual condemnation and legal debt owed for sin (both intentional and unintentional, in a broader sense of our fallen nature), offering complete reconciliation and a secure dwelling for those who flee to Him by faith (Heb 6:18).

Numbers 35 23 Commentary

Numbers 35:23 precisely articulates one of the conditions for manslaughter, differentiating it from murder. God's law here demonstrates an advanced understanding of legal culpability by focusing on the perpetrator's intent and mental state rather than merely the fatal outcome. The dropping of a stone without seeing the victim, coupled with the explicit lack of enmity or desire for harm, established a clear category of accidental death. This meticulous legal provision in the Mosaic Law prevented blood vengeance from being arbitrarily executed, instead guiding it through a divinely ordained, merciful, yet just process within the Cities of Refuge. It underscores God's valuing of human life, His concern for fair judgment, and His provision for protection, even for those who caused accidental death, mirroring His own character of both justice and mercy.